Trial in 2012 double slaying draws closer to a verdict

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»Play VideoJohan Gillette looks toward Lane County Assistant District Attorney Stephen Morgan during the Johan Gillette double-murder trial at the Lane County Courthouse in Eugene, Ore. Thursday February 20, 2014. Johan Gillette is accused of killing his father James Gillette and Anne Dhu McLucas, James Gillette's domestic partner in September 2012. (Kevin Clark/The Register-Guard, pool)

EUGENE, Ore. - The homes buried deep in the thick woods south of Eugene enjoy a sense of privacy.

It was here in these hills where Lane County investigators say neighbors discovered two bodies Sept. 7, 2012.

One of the people was dead, the other still clinging to life.

Sheriff's deputies shared little information the next morning.

"At this time we have no reason to believe that there is any additional threat to the public based on this incident," Detective Sgt. Cliff Harrold said, "but we are going to be out here for a little while still checking and making sure we are doing a good thorough job on this."

It wasn't reported at the time, but arrest reports later revealed a man was found bludgeoned to death in a home and a woman was taken to the hospital in critical condition.

She later died from her injuries: blunt force to the head.

Deputies remained tight-lipped as they took a man into custody.

Law enfocement scoured some 650 acres of property, the scene of past controversy in Lane County.

Neighbors said the owner - 73-year-old James Gillette - was widely known for his conflicts over land use with government officials.

At the time, the public wasn't aware that it was Gillete and his 71-year-old longtime domestic partner, University of Oregon music dean emeritus Anne McLucas, who had been killed.

Gillette's well-known dealings with government quickly took a back seat to an outpouring of grief for McLucas.

The news was even harder for loved ones to hear when the murder suspect's name was reported: Johan Gillette, the victim's son who lived in another home on the property his father owned.

A sworn affidavit filed in court by detectives painted a gruesome picture of their deaths.

According to the affidavit, Johan's girlfriend Asia Seaton - who was also living on the property with the Gillettes - told investigators she loved her boyfriend but could not lie for him. She said Johan admitted to her his involvement in the killings.